What's My Next Move? is a workshop at WorkSource Pierce County in Tacoma, WA. It is a workshop for jobseekers who are undecided on what career path to take. Topics include skills and interest assessments, identifying your needs, researching online labor market sites, deciding on retraining, and informational interviewing and company research.

1. What’s My Next Move?
Exploring the Labor Market to find
your new career
WorkSource Pierce

2. Objectives
At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:
1. Understand what online resources are available
2. Assess your own interests and skills levels and
match them to occupations
3. Use online labor market tools to research viable
career options for your local area
4. Explore retraining options if applicable
5. Research career options in greater depth to make
an informed career decision

3. The Job Search Strategy
Do You Know Where
You’re Going?

4. Planning a Job Search Strategy
You are unique. So is your job search.

5. Targeting Your Next Career
5-step process:
1. Know yourself
2. Identify your needs
3. Research labor market info
4. Make a list
5. Narrow the results

6. 1. Know Yourself
Skills / Interest Assessments
What Can An Assessment Tell You?
• Find out about specific occupations that are a
good match for your unique blend of skills.
• Decide whether you need more training or
experience in an area.
• Reflect on where you want to take your career,
and where you want your career to take you.
Where Are You Now?

7. 2. Know Your Needs
• Prepare a comprehensive personal budget – “fair
salary range”
• Know what is your “bare bones requirement” –
TheCalculator.org
• Does your researched occupation’s salary
numbers compare with your requirements?

8. 3. Career Exploration
Now that you have some occupations that might
fit your interests, find out more about them
through O*Net Online.

9. Things to look for
• Is the expected salary level within your range?
• Is the occupation in demand?
• Is retraining needed?

10. 4. Make a List of Possibilities
• Include all occupations that meet your needs,
whether or not retraining is needed
• Prioritize

11. Is Retraining Required?
• Career Bridge at http://careerbridge.wa.gov
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Attend a WorkSource General Orientation or
Visit www.workforce-central.org/GeneralOrientation

12. 5. Narrow the Results
Informational Interviewing
• Provides valuable information about the daily work
life of a specific company or career field.
• Allows you to investigate the occupation you’re
researching by interviewing someone actually doing
the job.

13. Need Additional Help?
Contact me!
Kim Myers
KMyers@esd.wa.gov